Grant application deadline extended to April 1

Community news organizations companies have until April 1 to submit applications for the second year of the Associated Press Media Editors’ Community Journalism Public Service Initiative.

Media companies in metropolitan areas (MSA) of 100,000 or fewer people are encouraged to apply for the grant. The recipient will receive $1,000 to jump-start the initiative and a trip to the annual APME conference to present the project.

It's easy to enter: Just draft a proposal of 500 words or less and include examples of how you would approach the project. It should be multiplatform, include social media and address a long-standing community issue.

Last year's winner was The Daily Citizen of Beaver Dam, WI. The newspaper won the grant with its series on "Mental Health on Hold," a multimedia project on mental illness in the community. Staff members Megan Sheridan and Trista Pruett then presented their work on the project at the APME conference in Nashville.

This year's winner will have the opportunity to present at the conference in October in Indianapolis.

The Grant: A $1,000 grant will be given to a small-media company for a public service project that addresses a long-standing community issue. If results are shown, a representative also would receive an expenses-paid trip (up to $1,000) to the APME conference in October in Indianapolis.

Eligibility: The media company must have a website and serve a metropolitan area (MSA) of 100,000 or fewer people. Preference will be given to Associated Press members.

Expectations: The project can use print and/or digital platforms and include social media and/or a mobile strategy. It should be considered entrepreneurial and should have the potential to be used elsewhere, including by a larger media company. Even though the project can be an ongoing series and continue after the APME conference, there will an expectation that a part of the project will be published before Sept. 1. The Innovator/Great Ideas/Awards Committee will contact the grant recipient in late August to determine progress on the initiative.

To apply: Go to http://www.tfaforms.com/232227 to submit your proposal of 500 words or less, including examples of how you would tackle the project. The form will also prompt you to give your company’s newsroom staffing, website page views per month and your newspaper’s circulation or audience size.